More thoughts on the football fan ban

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Since the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from their game with Aston Villa, there has been much debate online. Some people have reacted strongly against the decision and even gone further, demanding that the communities in Birmingham linked to petitions and protests against the fans coming be deported.  I’ve responded to that argument… Continue reading More thoughts on the football fan ban

Please don’t play their game

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I live what counts to me as walking distance of the Aston Villa football ground. It’s actually 50 minutes walk away from the ground. Where I currently live is predominantly but not exclusively white working class. However the next few streets along are increasingly Asian and whilst there is a Sikh Gudwara just round the… Continue reading Please don’t play their game

October 7th Lest we forget

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Today is the 2nd anniversary of the atrocity committed by Hamas, an antisemitic terrorist organisation.  There are still many Israelis grieving the loss of loved ones.  There are still many with physical and emotional scars because of the violence they suffered.  There are still  hostages that have not been allowed to go home to their… Continue reading October 7th Lest we forget

Approaching October 7th – some reflections on Israel Hamas and antisemitism

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We are approaching the 2nd anniversary of the October 7th attacks by Hamas on Israel.  Since then, Israel have been involved in an ongoing military attack into Gaza which started as an effort to free the hostages taken but has become more than that, an existential struggle to try and destroy Hamas completely.  Here are… Continue reading Approaching October 7th – some reflections on Israel Hamas and antisemitism

What the reactions to the new Archbishop do tell us

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Readers will be familiar by now with my own take on the change of personnel at the top of the Church of England.  I don’t think it was ever going to make much difference because the issues we should have with the CofE go back  further and down deeper than individual personalities. If you have… Continue reading What the reactions to the new Archbishop do tell us

Stand with Britain’s Jews because that’s the right thing to do … Not for any other agenda

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Yesterday’s terror attack on a synagogue in Manchester was horrific.  There have been so many warnings about the increased fear that Jews are experiencing.  On Yom Kippur those fears became a reality. This attack didn’t come out of nowhere, as shocking as it was. I’ve written recently about racism and how word, symbols and marches… Continue reading Stand with Britain’s Jews because that’s the right thing to do … Not for any other agenda

Disuniting the kingdom – who are you marching for?

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On Saturday last week, an estimated 100000 people marched through London  in a protest called “Unite the nation.” Quite a few Christian leaders have condemned the march as promoting intimidation and fear particularly towards immigrants and asylum seekers. I’ve seen quite a few responses from Christians who joined in on the march complaining that they… Continue reading Disuniting the kingdom – who are you marching for?

America in mourning, 911 and Charlie Kirk

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Twenty four years ago today, we followed the news as shocking events unfolded in the US. I remember the shock as we first heard rumours of a plane hitting one of the World Trade Centre towers and imagined a small microlight only to watch as though in slow motion airliners crashing into the towers.  It… Continue reading America in mourning, 911 and Charlie Kirk

Happy 100th birthday Dick Lucas

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Dick Lucas is 100 today, an incredible achievement.  I suspect that many readers both of younger age and from charismatic backgrounds may be unfamiliar with who Dick Lucas is but he is in fact one of the most significant figures in modern reformed/evangelical Christianity, alongside John Stott and Martyn Lloyd Jones. I remember finding some… Continue reading Happy 100th birthday Dick Lucas

Restrictions on street evangelism in Birmingham continue under the radar for the Christian press

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In the last few weeks, Birmingham City Council have brought in two Public Space Protection Orders in Birmingham. You can find them here. The first prevents the use of amplification and musical instruments in certain streets in the city centre. It will affect street preachers as well as entertainers and buskers. Our concern is that… Continue reading Restrictions on street evangelism in Birmingham continue under the radar for the Christian press